NCJ Number
131207
Date Published
1989
Length
349 pages
Annotation
This manual includes guidelines on investigating child abuse cases, proper interviewing techniques, and legal issues surrounding such cases.
Abstract
After introducing police investigators to some of the underlying causes of child abuse, the manual outlines the many steps of an investigation and notes legal and evidentiary requirements for conviction. The first chapter on physical child abuse provides investigatory tips and some basic medical information on different types of injuries caused by child abuse. The second chapter examines all facets of child sexual abuse and exploitation, including incest and pedophilia, and offers investigatory considerations and guidelines for interviewing both victim and suspect. The third chapter provides information on the investigator's role in missing children cases including voluntary missing child cases, parental kidnapping, abduction, and unknown missing child cases. The chapter also notes available resources to aid in searching for missing children such as the National Crime Information Center. The final chapter discusses legal issues and provides guidance on how to turn the police investigation into a successful trial presentation. Chapter appendixes contain procedural and substantive information on child abuse investigations and associated forms.